The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-02
CLOVER AS MANURE.
A Semi-Scientific Dissertation on the Fer
tilizing Properties of the Plant

1
tilizing Properties of the Plant.
Much has been said lately on the fer
tilizing' properties of clover. Some
contend that when plowed under it will
add to the fertility, keep it in heart,
etc, while others contend that it does
not add to the fertility and can not
enrich land permanently. Both are
partly right and wrong. Let us see if
we can not come at the truth of the
matter.
Green clover is made up of water,
starch. woody fiber, sugar, albumen,
extractive matter, gum, fatty matter
and phosphate of lime. Expressed in
elements more familiar, perhaps, they
are phOsphoric acid. sulphuric acid,-
carbonic acid, silica. lime, magnesia,
potash, soda, chlorine and iron. Dried
clover has similar constituents, though
they vary in proportion. These anal
yses are of the tops. The roots surpass
in richness
From whence do these ingredients
come? All plant food comes from soil
and atmosphere, about five per cont
from the former and nearly ninety-fve
per cent. from the latter. The first are
organic, the second inorganic. Carbon,
as carbonic acid, enters vegetation
through leaves, bark, etc. Hydrogen
comes through water-rains and dews;
oxygen in rains and nitrogen from air
and soil. Plants vary as to amount of
food derived from soil and air. To-
bscco extracts about ten per cent. from
the soil; rice, clover and many grasses
not over three per cent.
The question then as to clover adding
fertility to the soil resolves itself into
this: of what value to land are carbon,
oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen? The
fourteen elements we have named are
all requisite for the perfect develop
ment of plants. They must all be in
proper proportions. Let one be absent
and the plant is impaired in its growth
Carbon in its combinations is of
great value to soil. Uncombined it is
valueless. Its compounds are more
numerous than those of any other ele-
ment Combined with oxygen it forms
carbonic acid, of prime Importance to
plant nutrition. Soil water always holds
it in solution. thus becoming a powerful
solvent, dissolving many substances
which nothing else will. render
ing them plant food. There are
twenty-eight tons of it in the
air over one acre of ground, so science
says. In the carbonates it is very
valuable. 1t forms the chief bulk of all
Tegetation. Manures abound in it. We
.hus see its prominent position and i'm
oortance 1t is absorbed by plants
through the leaves and bark, as carbonic=
lcid. 1t is taken up by the roots
Clover feeds upon it, oxygen going off
IS gas, and the carbon forming new
with hydrogen, making
yum, starch. albumen, casein, etc. Ex--
,osed to the air these substances lose
heir carbon, it passing off as carbonic
cid gas. II vegetable substances are
overed with earth the carbon remains.
inely divided, becoming vegetable
mold. The mineral substances are also
etained in the soil. Carbon is the best
,bsorbent of gases, and absorbs and
ondenses watery vapor abundantly.
Is vegetable mold mixed with clay, it
makes clay loan, the best of absorbents.
Water is manure. Rain brings with
powerful combinations of nitrogen
oxygen is, also, essential to vegetable
fe. and is the great agent of decay. It
mites with organic matter in the soil,
Drming new combinations that become
liant food. Without it neither animals
or plants could live. A large part of
he food of plants floats in the air and
brought down by rains. SHOWS. ETC.
lint says the superiority of clover as a
reen manure lies In the vast amount Of
rater it contains. Clover is trap for
lese organic elements in the air, not
he soil.-Cor. Ohio Farmer.